Oyster installed at energy centre

Aquamarine Power recently completed the first phase of installation of its Oyster device at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney.

The 194-tonne device was lowered onto a seabed subframe and bolted in place at the EMEC. The next phase of the project will be to connect it to subsea pipelines that provide high-pressure freshwater to an onshore turbine, ahead of grid connection and sea trials later this year.

In operation, the Oyster’s oscillator is fitted with pistons fixed to the nearshore bed. Waves activate the oscillator, pumping high-pressure water through a subsea pipeline to the shore. Onshore, conventional hydro-electric generators convert this high-pressure water into electrical power.

Martin McAdam, chief executive of Aquamarine Power, said: ‘Getting Oyster into the water and connected to the seabed was always going to be the most difficult step and its completion is a real credit to everyone who has worked hard on planning and executing this major engineering feat on schedule and without any complications.’